Are Cruise Ships Wheelchair-Accessible?

I use a power wheelchair and I’m thinking about taking a cruise with my husband. I’ve never traveled before but a cruise really appeals to me. Are cruise ships wheelchair-accessible? And if so, will they work for my power wheelchair? I’d also appreciate any tips you have for planning a wheelchair-accessible cruise.

Access on the High Seas

The good news is that many cruise ships are wheelchair-accessible. Part of the reason is because they have responded to a growing market, and part of the reason is due to litigation. More specifically, there are two court cases that helped form the access requirements on cruise ships that call on US ports.

First and foremost is Spector v Norwegian Cruise Line. On June 6, 2005 the US Supreme Court decided in favor of the plaintiffs in this case, and ruled that the Americans with Disabilities Act applies to all foreign-flagged cruise ships that call on US ports. This ruling, however, fell short of requiring specific access guidelines for vessels.

Then in 2015 the Justice Department reached a settlement with Carnival Cruise Lines that provided the access standards for ships — even foreign flagged ships — that call on US ports. They must have fully accessible cabins, which are dispersed throughout the various classes of accommodations. These cabins must have 32-inch wide doorways, include accessible pathway access and turning radius, and have an accessible bathroom. And the reservation system must allow passengers with a disability to reserve an accessible cabin, and guarantee that accessible cabin reservation.

Cruise Planning Tips & Tricks

It’s great to have these standards, and to be honest, most cruise ships go above and beyond as far as access is concerned. That said, it does take a little more advance planning to book an accessible cruise.

First and foremost — start early. Even though cruise ships have accessible cabins, they are limited and they go quickly. Keep tabs on your cruise and try and book your cabin as soon as it’s released. It’s the best way to get the accessible cabin you need.

Also, remember to ask a lot of questions about the accessible cabin. They differ from cruise line to cruise line, and even on ships on the same cruise line. Always ask about access details that are important to you, such as bed height, toilet height and grab bar placement. And if you still have questions, ask them to e-mail you some photos. When you inquire about access, you might also want to include the pertinent measurements for your power wheelchair because just saying “wheelchair” can lead to a wide variety of interpretations. The good news is, you will find that many cruise ships can accommodate your power wheelchair.

It’s also a good idea to search for accessible shore excursions first, before you decide on a cruise. Some ports have more accessible options than others. It’s also prudent to book these accessible excursions directly with the provider as early as possible. Many cruise lines use the same providers and if you wait for them to book them, they may already be booked. Plan ahead to avoid disappointment.

And finally, here are some more tips to help you plan a wheelchair-accessible cruise. emerginghorizons.com/wheelchair-accessible-cruise-tips/